Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is a 250km / 7 stages ultra marathon in Augrabies Falls, South Africa. Distance: 250km. Elevation: 1,500m D+. Difficulty: brutal (Challenge Rating 56/100). DNF rate: 20%. Time limit: 55h. Surface: sand. Established 2004.
Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon
Augrabies Falls, Northern Cape, South Africa
"250km through the Kalahari Desert. Augrabies Falls and 42°C heat."
A 7-stage self-supported race through the Kalahari.
The Course
A 250km multi-stage self-supported race through the Kalahari Desert of South Africa, starting at the Augrabies Falls — the sixth-largest waterfall in the world. The route crosses red sand dunes, dry riverbeds, and the vast semi-arid plains of the Northern Cape. Runners carry their own food and sleep in desert bivouacs. The terrain alternates between soft sand that saps energy, rocky koppies that demand careful footing, and hard-packed savanna that allows brief respite. Wildlife encounters — oryx, springbok, jackals — are common.
rolling
point-to-point
3
Runner Experience
Self-supported race — runners carry all supplies. Checkpoints for timing and safety only.
Intimate finish in a remote setting. The camaraderie of shared hardship creates deep bonds between finishers.
Race Day Weather
30°C
15° – 42°
15%
5%
Kalahari spring — extremely hot.
Stats & Records
2004
60
38:00:00
24:30:00
Marco Olmo (2010)
31:15:00
Lizzy Hawker (2009)
Entry
ZAR 15000
February
months
Lore & Trivia
The Augrabies Extreme Marathon was one of the original desert stage races, predating Marathon des Sables as a South African answer to the Sahara challenge. The Kalahari is not a true desert — it receives enough rainfall to support grass, acacia trees, and an astonishing diversity of wildlife. But the running conditions are pure desert: 40°C heat, no shade, deep sand sections, and water that must be rationed between checkpoints. The race starts at Augrabies Falls, where the Orange River thunders 56 metres into a granite gorge — a dramatic reminder of water's power in a landscape defined by its absence.
- ▸ Augrabies Falls drops 56m into a narrow granite gorge.
- ▸ The Kalahari is one of the largest sand basins on Earth.
- ▸ Runners may encounter cobras, puff adders, and scorpions.
The Kalahari isn't a true desert — it has grass and trees. But when you're running through 40-degree heat with a pack, the distinction is academic.
Notable Editions
Marco Olmo's Desert Mastery
Italian legend Marco Olmo — already a two-time UTMB champion — won the Kalahari Augrabies, proving his desert credentials and adding another extreme landscape to his extraordinary CV.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon? +
Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is a 250km / 7 stages (250km) ultra marathon with 1,500m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on sand terrain.
How hard is Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon? +
Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is rated brutal with a Challenge Rating of 56/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 20%. Runners have 55 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon? +
Average temperature is 30°C (range 15°C to 42°C) with 15% humidity and a 5% chance of rain. Kalahari spring — extremely hot.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon? +
No crew access is permitted. Pacers are not allowed. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the course record for Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon? +
The men's course record is 24:30:00 set by Marco Olmo in 2010. The women's course record is 31:15:00 set by Lizzy Hawker in 2009.
What is the average finish time for Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon? +
The average finish time is 38:00:00. About 60 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 20%.
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